Therapeutic device



March 9, 1943.

P. F. TU NKE THERAPEUTIC DEVICE Filed Dec. 3, 1941,

FIG

FIG. 4

FIG.3

INVENTQR PAUL F. TUNKE BY ATTO NEY Patented Mar. 9, 1943 ETED rs LPTET or ies soothing the eyes. While such devices have been found to be helpful in producing the desired effect, most have the disadvantage of being cumbersome and some require inlet and exhaust means such as tubes for the circulating fluids. Prior devices also have among others the disadvantage of hindering and limiting the movement of the person to whose eyes the device is applied, and they are expensive.

Accordingly, it is one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a device of the above mentioned type which has none of the enumerated objections and which may be applied and held in place over the eyes of a person without requiring the person to remain in any one fixed or relatively fixed position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the above type which is a self-contained unit in that no external connections thereto are required for circulating and such purposes.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the above type which is light in weight and which has sections that contact the eyelids and adjacent facial areas which is of soft and absorbent material so as to assume the contour of the area to which the device is applied and establish a reasonably good contact between the device and the area to which it is applied.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device which will hold crushed ice so that the melting thereof absorbs heat from the parts of the body to which the device is applied.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device which gives the person upon whom the device is applied a feeling of applying a damp or Wet surface to the eyelids while at the same time preventing the escape of water formed by the melting ice in the device.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of high thermal efficiency in which the minimum of cold is lost from the melting of the ice and the major portion thereof is transwhile at the same time ferred to the area to which the device is applied. The above and further objects of the invention will be more apparent in the following detailed description thereof when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in the latter of which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the device;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of one of the unitsof the device taken substantially on line 3-3 of and Fig. 4 is a view partly in section of a modified arrangement of one of the units of the device.

Referring to the drawing and particularly Figs. 1 to 3, which shows a preferred form of the invention, the device comprises two units, indicated generally by reference numerals I I, of such a size that they may be applied to and fitted over the eyes of a person to completely cover the eyes or eyelids and the immediate adjacent facial areas. Each unit comprises a somewhat cup-shaped hollow container l2 with substantially straight sides which terminate in rims [5. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the containers I-2 have formed integrally therewith radially extending arms IS. The arms l3 are joined together by some means such as by a rivet l4 whereby the two containers [2 are pivotable with respect to one another. The length of the arms I3 is such that the centers of the containers I2 are separated by a distance substantially equal to the distance between the center of the eyes of an average person.

Also formed integrally with the containers I2 on substantially opposite sides to the arms 13 are lugs I6. The lugs l6 are preferably formed near the inner extremities or rims of the containers 1 2 and have holes therein which permit the ready attachment thereto of a holding means such as an elastic band Ill. The elastic band I0 is arranged so as to be passed around the back of the head of the person to whom the device is applied to hold the device in place over the eyes permitting movement of the person.

In the preferred embodiment the containers 1-2 are made of some plastic material such as catalin which permits moulding or casting of the arms l3 and lugs I 6 integrally with the main container portion. However, numerous other suitable materials may be employed and the arms l3 and lugs l6 may be made separate and. attached to the containers l2 by suitable means such as riveting.

As more clearly shown in Fig. 1, the upper open ends or the rims l of the containers l2 instead of being cut straight across perpendicular to the central axis of the container, are cut at an angle to more nearly conform to the contour of the eyes of a person to whom the device is applied. Secured to the rims of the containers l2 by glueing or other suitable means are ovalshaped pads IT. The pads I! are somewhat larger than the outer diameter of the containers [2 and accordingly extend a substantial distance beyond the outside rims of the containers. The

pads I? are preferably composed of sponge rubher or other suitable light porous material of soft construction which permits easy flexing thereof.

The thickness and diameter of the the containers or a substantial portion of the water formed from ice 25 that may be placed in the containers l2. Holes i8, are formed in the ends of each of the containers l2 to permit the placing of crushed or cracked ice in the containers. The holes 18 are above the center of the containers, as shown in Fig. 2, so as to prevent the leakage of water from the melting of the crushed ice therefrom when the device is applied to a person in an upright position, the device being substantially in the position shown in Fig. 2 when applied to a person in an upright position,

The device is designed primarily for use on a person in a prone position or with the head tilted backward. the device and the holes I3 therein is such that the position of the person to. whom the device is applied is not critical and may be applied to a person with the head held upright.

When the containers i2 are filled or partly filled with crushed ice and the device applied to the eyes of a person, the soft sponge rubber pads l'i assume the contour of the eyelids and the immediate surrounding facial areas. The water from the melting of the ice, in the containers I2 permeates the pads I1 and gives the effect to the wearer of a damp or wet pad being applied to the eyelids. The heat absorbed by the water in the pads IT is conveyed to the ice and water within the containers to melt more of the ice. moisture in the pads serves as a good conductor of heat and cold to and from the areas to which the device is applied and the temperature of the surface of the pads in contact with the facial areas may be substantially that of the ice water within the containers.

The pads, as hereinbefore stated, are of such thickness and size as to be capable of absorbingv substantially all the water from the ice that may be placed in the containers, and this prevents the leakage of the water from the device during the normal use thereof while at the same time permitting a damp or wet contact with the facial areas to which the device is applied.

Fig. 4 shows a modification of the invention wherein a unit 20 includes a container I9 which may be made from a section of tubing or a cylpads H are such that they are capable of absorbing a quantity of water substantially equal to the volume of However, the arrangement of The r inder. The outer end of the container is closed by means of a tight fitting cap 2|. The cap 2| is preferably of rubber and forms a substantially watertight cover over the outer end of the container [9. In other respects the unit shown in. Fig. 4 is substantially similar to either of the units I 1 shown in Figs. 1 to 3, it including on the inner rim of the container a pad 22, a connecting arm 23, and a lug 24 to which is attached a resilient band 26.

It is obvious that various other modifications of the invention shown and described herein may be made without departing from the spirit or essential attributes of the invention, and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art or are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A therapeutic device of the type described comprising a pair of substantially flat and circular, soft, porous and absorbent pads adapted to be applied to and substantially cover a patients eyes, hollow fixed and cup-shaped containers attached at the rims to one side of said pads for holding cracked or crushed ice in contact with one side of said pads, openings in said containers for inserting said ice therein, said openings being so located as to prevent the escape of ice or water from said containers when said device is applied to the patient in a prone or upright position, arms extending from said containers pivotally connected whereby said containers and said pads are spaced apart and pivotally movable relative to each other, means including said pivotal connection whereby said containers are pivotable upon an axis substantially perpendicular to the central axis of said containers and means including said pads to convey heat from the areas to which they are applied to said ice to melt the same and to absorb the water of the melted ice.

2. A therapeutic device of the type described comprising a pair of substantially fiat circular soft, porous and absorbent pads adapted to be applied to and substantially cover a patients eyes, hollow fixed and cylindrically shaped containers attached at the rims of one end thereof to one side of said pads for holding cracked or crushed ice in contact with one side of said pads, openings in said containers for inserting said ice therein, removable covers for said openings, means including said covers for closing the opposite ends of said cylindrically shaped containers for preventing the escape of water or ice from said containers through said openings, arms extending from said containers pivotally connected together whereby said containers and pads are spaced apart and pivotally movable relative to each other, means including said pivotal connection whereby said containers are pivotable on an axis substantially perpendicular to the central axis thereof and means including said pads and water from melted ice in said containers to convey heat from the areas to which said pads are applied.

PAUL F. TUNKE. 

